Clever definition
Showing ingenuity or quick, sometimes superficial, intelligence.
A clever book.
adjective
Quick in thinking or learning; intelligent, ingenious, quick-witted, witty, facile, etc.
adjective
Skillful in doing something; adroit; dexterous.
adjective
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(new england) Easily managed; docile.
adjective
(chiefly southern us) Good-natured; amiable.
adjective
Mentally quick and original; bright.
A clever student.
adjective
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Skilled at accomplishing things, especially with the hands.
A clever carpenter.
adjective
Crafty; cunning.
adjective
Exhibiting ingenuity or imagination; creative or artful.
A clever experiment.
adjective
Witty; amusing.
An evening of clever repartee.
adjective
Characterized by cunning or shrewdness.
Clever manipulation of public opinion.
adjective
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Amiable; good-natured.
adjective
Handsome, convenient, nice, etc.
adjective
The definition of clever is being smart or having the skills to do something well.
An example of clever is a builder who can construct a deck around any tree.
An example of clever is a magazine that speaks intelligently about politics and pop culture.
adjective
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Other Word Forms
Adjective
Base Form:
clever
Comparative:
cleverer
Superlative:
cleverestOrigin of clever
- Middle English cliver East Frisian klifer, klüfer gleubh- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From East Anglian dialectal English cliver (“expert at seizing”), from Middle English cliver (“tenacious”), perhaps from Old English *clifer, clibbor (“clinging”), or perhaps from East Frisian (compare Saterland Frisian kluftich), or dialectal Norwegian klover (“ready, skillful”); possibly influenced by Old English clifer (“claw, hand”). Related to cleave.
From Wiktionary